Fire at Russia-China joint complex kills one, injures 122

A fire erupted at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Russia's Amur Region, a significant joint venture between Russia's Sibur and China's Sinopec, resulting in casualties and injuries.

The incident, which began in the morning in an auxiliary section of the complex's pyrolysis unit, claimed the life of a Chinese national employed by a contractor. A total of 122 people sustained injuries, according to a statement from the complex's press service. The press service confirmed continuous contact with Russia's Ministry of Health, and a special medical aircraft carrying experts from research institutes and health centers was dispatched to the region.

Firefighting operations to extinguish the blaze in the construction site area are ongoing. The statement clarified that the fire was contained within the auxiliary part of the pyrolysis unit, and the facility's main equipment was not damaged. Crucially, the air quality in nearby residential areas has not exceeded the limit values for harmful substances.

The Amur Gas Chemical Complex is poised to become one of the world's largest polymer and gas-chemical production facilities upon completion. The joint project aims to leverage Russia's gas processing capabilities with China's extensive market and manufacturing expertise.